Sandra Proto's Blog, page 2

Reflections: Cleaning Out My Drawers

There is a recognizable ebb and flow to the process of recovering our creative selves. As we gain strength, so will some of the attacks of self-doubt. This is normal, and we can deal with these stronger attacks when we see them as symptoms of recovery. As you learn to recognize, nurture, and protect your inner artist, you will be able to move beyond pain and creative constrictions.-Julia Cameron


Six years ago I was writing heavily. I was engrossed in my short stories and enjoyed seeing them come into completion. I also was performing and reading my poetry, acting, taking writing classes, and doing yoga. I was single and living my life as an “Artist.” But soon unexpected events in my life took precedence: my sister’s death, the removal of my left ovary due to a cyst, my miracle pregnancy (at least that’s what I believed even though my doctor reassured me at the time of the removal I had one perfectly good ovary), quitting smoking (this was a miracle in itself), marriage, my move to Long Island, and another pregnancy.

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Reflections: Motherhood Memories

With my belly protruding and sweat running down my back, I boarded the sardined-packed E-train on 5th Avenue in New York City. This was mid-July of 2006. I was six months pregnant, but looked more like nine months. I canvassed the train for an empty seat and there were none available. When we pulled out of the station, I held on tight to an empty space of a silver pole, stiffened my legs, and swayed in the direction of our destination. Even though, I worked in an office and sat down all day, the weight of my first daughter made my legs wobbly. A woman of Jamaican descent noticed me and offered her seat. I was very grateful. I sat down (read more)

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Writng Inspiration: Poetic Rhythms Part 4

Black Arts Movement poet Sonia Sanchez was the next of my discoveries.


In 2003, when I first started to concentrate more seriously on my writing, I read an interview with Ms. Sanchez in the book Heroism in the New Black Poetry and two years later was fortunate to meet her in person.


In 2005, I volunteered for African Voices Magazine’s Elle Charles Award honouring Sonia Sanchez at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. I worked at the information table selling African Voices magazines and subscriptions. I heard (read more)

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Read New four part essay Writing Inspiration: Poetic Rhythms

For the month of April, I have been posting a four part essay on my blog My Writing Corner about who inspired me to write poetry.

This week marks the third week. Please click the links below to read each post:

http://www.sandraproto.com/#!Writing-...

First Week:
http://www.sandraproto.com/#!Writing-...

Second Week:
http://www.sandraproto.com/#!Writing-...

Reviews of Spring's Tepid Breath

Spring's Tepid BreathRating: 5.0 stars

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Spring's Tepid Breath by Sandra Proto is a collection of poems based on the poet's life experiences, journeys, and emotions. The poems take you on the poet's inner journey of self realization and exploration. Many poems in the books are written for her mother after her mother's death. Those poems reveal a longing and love that the poet feels for her. The style of writing is classy and neat. The minimalist structure gives a depth to the words and the emotions that the poet is trying to convey to the reader.

'Vera Lynn Douglas' is a poem dedicated to her mother. It speaks about the simplicity of a woman who dreamed but adjusted happily to what life offered her. 'After we came back' is another moving poem where the poet reminisces about the loss of her parents. The emotions portrayed are not over-dramatic. They reveal the inner strength of the writer who has accepted life for what it is and her decision to make peace with it. Some of the poems are written in the haiku/senryu style; short, stark but profound. It gives a feeling of being in that particular moment.

I liked the collection for various reasons. The poet has portrayed the emotions in a convincing way using the minimalist approach. The words convey an inner turmoil and a sense of loss very effectively. The poems from the beginning to the last one are tied in together to give that feeling of being connected with each other which gives a continuity while reading.

Review from Sharon's Writing Corner


Spring's Tepid Breath is beautifully written collection of poems. I had the honor of reading this collection before it went on sale, what an amazing honor. This collection takes the reader on a journey of healing and love. As a reader, I experienced a wide variety of emotions from laughing to crying to yelling, "You go!" My favorite poems in this collection were
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Review from BookwormSimi's Blissful Blog


Life As We See It“Life/ Breaths on its own/ Without nostrils” – Life goes on, paying no heed to what we think…At times we are disgusted with our misery, and on other times we feel blessed for the gifts that are showered on us. However, does it affect ‘Life’ in any way? It has its own ways, own thoughts, own nature of leading us from joy to joy and loss to loss, and ultimately to the path of self-exploration.It’s the first thought that comes in mind whenever I turn
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More Reviews on Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/Springs-Tepid-B...

Spring's Tepid Breath Book Launch

Spring's Tepid Breath Online Book Launch is Today!
Please visit my newly designed website: www.sandraproto.com for details and a special Giveaway;0)

"Looking for Reviewers for my new Chapbook (Readers ONLY

I'm looking for Reviewers for my newest poetry chapbook: Spring's Tepid Breath. The book is set to be released on March 8, 2014. I have five Advance Reading Copies in PDF to distribute to readers. If you are interested in reviewing please PM me with your email.

I ask all Reviewers to post their reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari,Blogs,etc. from March 8-31.

About Spring's Tepid Breath

Spring’s Tepid Breath consists of twenty-one thought provoking poems that delve into one’s emotional insecurities. This is my second collection of poetry and just like Wrapped up in Life with Omniscient Eyes, my debut collection, took you on a poetic journey through life experiences; Spring’s Tepid Breath continues the journey with self-exploration after the death of my mother.

Review of Wrapped up in Life with Omniscient Eyes

Through subjects such as self-love, love, friendship, death, and social consciousness: Wrapped up in Life with Omniscient Eyes is a poetic journey through life experiences and observations. The poems were written between 1980 and 2008, giving a broad voice from adolescence to adulthood.


Rating: 4.0 stars
Reviewed by Lisa M. for Readers' Favorite


"Wrapped Up in Life with Omniscient Eyes" by Sandra Proto is a collection of poetry based on the life experiences and observations through the eyes of the author. The first poem of the book is entitled 'Blackberry Beauty', which uses metaphorical prose to emphasize the fact that beauty is found deep within and although others may see beauty as a likeness based on appearance, it is the individual who perceives their own beauty. 'Blackberry Beauty' is about how the author describes the complexion of her skin tone which others may see as a negative flaw. But the author remarks that it is her mind that she can empower with the positive force of her beauty and adds that she can share the beauty of herself with others. ​


This is a good book to read from the beginning to the end for all those who may be interested in taking that journey through life with self evaluation and following whatever path it leads to.